Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-03-18
SOLDIERS DEPARTMENT.
THE CHALLENGE.


siowly DER the distant mountain sinks the glow
ing sun to rest
Gliding with its lingering splondor the horizo
oftho west;
And the twilight softly falling over forest, ne;
and hill,
Brings the hour OF peace aud comfort; biddin
oil the world be still.
Save the faint and hollow murmur OF the distnn
waterfalls
Or rsomo bird ro.dtning homcward, toits mate
greeting calls;
Save tho far.of drowsy tinltlc from the her,
upon tho hill,
AL the sounds ut longth grow fainter, nature
Seeps-tho world is still.
Now arc seen amid the darkness flrcs glowing
warm and bright
For beside the Rappahannock two great armies
meet tonight;
On its banks they build their 1ros, on tho sod
their arms they lay;
On one bank the Blue are camping on the other
side the Gray.
Soon there comes from DER the river strains OF
music loud and grand;
'Tis the sound OF martial measure from the
Union nrmy's band;
And "wo'll Rally Round the Flag Boys" was
the soul.inspring air;
To cheer the weary soldiers heart, there's mono
that's half so fair.
Now Mt length the strain is ended, and the army
OF the Gray
Quick tho challenge has accepted, but another
mir they play;
"Thc Bonnie Blue Flag" in lively measure, with
its accents sweet and clear
Giving hope to every soldier, driving from them
thoughts OF fear.
Then again from DER the river, from the gallant
boys In Blue,
Came tho notes of "Hail Columbia" loud and
joyous, firm and true,
Swelling like the voice of nations, borne on
wings OF music grand
horn within the hearts Of frecmen, uttered ~
the Union band.
Scarcely has the lingering coho, from the noun
tain died away
When Away Down South In Dixie" from tho
army OF the Gray,
Speaks their dearest wish and purpose, tells OF
Hopes as strong and true,
AS were those SO dearly cherished by the army
OF the Blue.
Sweet the sound OF martial music, floating on
the evening air;
Terrible the dark forebodings that their lively
measures bear;
To the ear 1t brings its beauty, to the heart the
throbs OF pain;
Thus together Joy snd sadness blended in the
same refrain.
All is hushcd. The silvery rippling OF the river
flowing near
And perhaps the faggots cracking are the only
sounds they hear;
Not the faintcst echo answered from the hills
now lost to view,
All aro waiting for the answer from the army
OF the Blue.
But within one soldiers bosom there is borne
gentle strain,
And his comrades unframed voices Join him
in the sweet refrain,
But It bears no word of challenge, has no
thought OF party pride,
For its visions are OF loved ones, and the hal
lowed frcside.
"Home, Sweet Home" the notes float 1pward
out upon the quiet night,
Others now have caught the meaning, and their
melody unite,
As the chorus still is swelling every voice pro- |
longs the lay,
Rendered by the word and music now from both |
the Blue and Gray.
Fuller stronger grows the music swelling up
ward through the air,
Even TO the gates OF Heaven, and perhaps IL |
enters there,
Where the notes are swectly blended with
angelic singers lay,
all in one grand chorus there is known
no Blue, no Gray.
The song is DER, the closing measure softly
now has died away;
But we hear no challenge further from the Blue |
or from the Gray,
For the theme, so aptly fitted to each weary
soldiers heart,
Brooks no thought OF civil warfare, and no
words OF hate impart.
As each soldier, worn and weary, on his humble
couch is lain;
in his duslSy features takes away the
powder stain.
Can It be the dews from Heaven, falling on the
sleepers' face?
Or do tears thus undiscovered down the soldiers
features traccf
-. r. Reao,rer, IN Toledo BLADE.